Almost two months ago, it occurred to me that our current boarding situation was perhaps not the best thing for a baby warmblood.
While the care was excellent, the atmosphere could at times be chaotic. For instance the jumping ring was located in the midst of a mobile home park (well, double wides), and beyond worrying about training my young horse, I also would commonly have to worry about motorcycles being revved, doors slamming, dogs walking, and the general bedlam that comes with riding in about 40 people’s backyard.
The other aspect to Smitty’s detriment was the turnout. Not that there wasn’t enough- Smitty actually had one of the largest paddocks there, but he had it all to himself. For many different reasons, the other boarders wanted individual turnout for their horses, and so my big gangly creature was relegated to sniffing noses over the fence for socialization. I really felt like having other horses to be with would be necessary for his sanity and well being.
So I went back to a facility I had looked at when wanting to move Foster from the boarding-barn-that-shall-not-be-named. I remember getting the warm fuzzies until I saw their gigantor fields and knew I would never catch my horse if he decided not to come in.
But everything about it was just about perfect for baby Smitty. So just a couple days after Christmas, we loaded him up and made the 10 min trip down the road to his new home.
Bonus: New stall comes with a jolly ball!
So far Smitty seems quite at home- he lays down in his stall and out in the field, and he adores his new friend Brio, who at 24 years old is nonetheless quite feisty and makes Smitty try and keep up with him. Watching Smitty’s long legs attempt to gallop has been quite the sight.
I feel really good about the decision to move Smitty, and am also loving the new barn family myself (my tribe- equestrians and fellow winos- what’s not to love?). Though we’ve gotten iced snowed in, I can’t wait to get back out there and see our new friends and see Smitty become a happier, healthier horse!
